Backroads (album)

Backroads
Studio album by Ricky Van Shelton
Released	May 21, 1991
Recorded	Nightingale Studio The Doghouse
Genre	Country
Length	33:01
Label	Columbia Nashville
Producer	Steve Buckingham
Ricky Van Shelton chronology
RVS III (1990) Backroads (1991) Don't Overlook Salvation (1992)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Entertainment Weekly -	B+[2]

Backroads is the fifth Studio Album by country music artist Ricky Van Shelton. The first three singles released from the album, "Rockin' Years" (a duet with Dolly Parton), "I Am a Simple Man", and "Keep It Between the Lines" all were number 1 hits. "After the Lights Go Out" and "Backroads" charted at numbers 13 and 2, respectively. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA on December 6, 1991.^[3]

Track listing

1. "I Am a Simple Man" (Walt Aldridge) - 3:26
2. "Rockin' Years" (Floyd Parton) - 3:25
   • duet with Dolly Parton
3. "Oh Heart of Mine" (Allen Shamblin, Bernie Nelson) - 3:19
4. "Some Things Are Better Left Alone" (Roger Murrah, Larry Shell) - 3:07
5. "After the Lights Go Out" (Warner McPherson) - 3:19
6. "Call Me Up" (Josh Leo, Harry Stinson) - 2:48
7. "If You're Ever in My Arms" (Bobby Braddock) - 3:30
8. "Who'll Turn Out the Lights" (Wayne Kemp, Mack Vickery) - 2:42
9. "Backroads" (Charlie Major) - 3:42
10. "Keep It Between the Lines" (Russell Smith, Kathy Louvin) - 3:49

Personnel

Musicians

• Eddie Bayers - drums
• Mark Casstevens - acoustic guitar
• Richard Dennison - background vocals
• Jerry Douglas - dobro
• Glen Duncan - fiddle
• Paul Franklin - steel guitar
• Sonny Garrish - steel guitar
• Steve Gibson - electric guitar, mandolin
• Rob Hajacos - fiddle
• Roy Husky Jr. - upright bass
• Carl Jackson - background vocals
• Albert Lee - electric guitar
• Randy McCormick - piano
• Terry McMillan - harmonica
• Jimmy Mattingly - fiddle
• Louis Dean Nunley - background vocals
• Jennifer O'Brien - background vocals
• Mark O'Connor - fiddle
• Dolly Parton - duet vocals on "Rockin' Years"
• Matt Rollings - piano
• Hal Rugg - steel guitar
• John Wesley Ryles - background vocals
• Randy Scruggs - acoustic guitar
• Ricky Van Shelton - acoustic guitar, lead vocals
• Howard Smith - background vocals
• Harry Stinson - background vocals
• Steve Turner - drums
• Paul Uhrig - bass guitar
• Bruce Watkins - acoustic guitar
• Biff Watson - acoustic guitar
• Dennis Wilson - background vocals
• Curtis Young - background vocals

Production

Compiled from liner notes.^[4]

• Steve Buckingham — production
• Marshall Morgan — engineering (except "Rockin' Years")
• Gary Paczosa — engineering ("Rockin' Years" only)
• Denny Purcell — mastering
• Gary Smith — production ("Rockin' Years" only)

Chart performance

Chart (1991)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums	3
U.S. Billboard 200	23
Canadian RPM Country Albums	4
Canadian RPM Top Albums	84

References

1. Allmusic review
2. Entertainment Weekly - review
3. Greatest Hits Plus (CD). Ricky Van Shelton. Columbia Records. 1992. 52753.
4. Backroads (CD booklet). Ricky Van Shelton. Columbia Records. 1991. 46855.